Top 9 Sports Presenters in India You Should Know About

Published On: December 23, 2024

The sports presenters or commentators are the storytellers of any game. No doubt about it, right?

It’s hard to imagine our viewing experience without their commentary and presence. Sports Presenters not only engage the fans with their favorite sports & athletes but also add extra zeal by analyzing the complexities of the game, making it more live for us.

Along with in-depth insight into sports, they also provide new angles for the viewers. Every presenter stands out with a unique style, making a statement in the industry.

Let’s know about the Top 10 Sports Presenters of India in this blog.

1. Harsha Bhogle:

His voice needs no introduction. Harsha Bhogle is known as the voice of cricket among the fans for his quintessential cricket commentary.
Bhogle was the first Indian commentator to be invited by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation during India’s cricket series before the 1992 Cricket World Cup.

Despite not being a former cricketer He stands out among many. His commentary has been part of many unforgettable matches. In the T20 World Cup 2022, the game between India and Pakistan, where everyone witnessed Virat Kohli’s spectacular performance, his commentary was etched with fans.

His exceptional commentary style, match analyzing skills, and ability to scrutinize performances set him apart, making the audiences anticipate the best.

2. Mayanti Langer:

Where sports meets elegance & expertise, Mayanti Langer is one of those Sports presenters of India who stands out with her extensive knowledge & passion for diverse sports and charismatic on-screen appearance. Her affinity for football and consistent participation in the game during college led her to the world of Sports Broadcasting.

Her journey started with FIFA Beach football as a guest anchor. Very soon, she joined ZEE Sports as an Anchor & Associate Producer for Football Café and became a household name in the broadcasting world. Mayanti also conducted other shows and interviews during many matches.

She also performed anchoring for the Indian Cricket League and Nehru Cup Football Tournament, however, her career went to the next level when she anchored the FIFA World Cup broadcast in India in 2010. Her diverse knowledge about several sports, engaging style, and outstanding on-screen presentation set her apart from her male counterparts. Moreover, she associated with Star Sports Network, and ESPN, and hosted many matches during IPL. Mayanti Langer’s journey as a sports presenter showcased significant success in the male-dominated industry, inspiring female aspirants to follow her path.

3. Gaurav Kapoor:

A man of multiple talents, Gaurav Kapoor has been remarkable in his versatile line of work be it RJing, VJing, acting, and hosting sports shows. He began his journey as a sports presenter with the show “Nike Football Locker Room” on ESPN-STAR in 2007. He, later continued with many shows like “the 2007 T20 World Cup,” “Dream Job,” and “Cricket Crazy, positioning him as one of India’s celebrated sports presenters.

However, Gaurav came into the limelight with “Extra Innings T20” for the IPL. His analytical insight into matches and engaging interviews with players brought him recognition among fans.

He also offered his analytical knowledge on Crickbuzz Live. One of his most popular works is ‘Breakfast with Champions’ on YouTube, where he hosted many sports personalities like Virat Kohli, Mithali Raj, Rohit Sharma, Steve Smith, Geeta Phogat, and Leander Paes.

4. Sunil Gavaskar:

Whether he was with the bat or now is with a microphone, Mr Gavaskar is famous for his unique technique. Hearing him commentating with insightful details of the match is a great experience for any cricket fan. Sometimes witty, sometimes analytical, his commentary amuses the fans worldwide.

After retirement from cricket, he began his commentary journey in the late 80’s. He brought his perspective to the commentary that he gained from his cricketing career, and that escalated his new role to a great level. His skill in analyzing a game or offering a unique perspective earned him the place of a leading commentator in the world of cricket.

Over the years, Gavaskar has lent his voice to numerous prestigious tournaments and leagues, such as ICC Cricket World Cups, Test Matches, One Day Internationals, and Indian Premier League (IPL). Besides working with leading broadcasting channels like Star Sports, Sony Sports Network, and Channel Nina Australia, Sunil Gavaskar offered his insightful opinions in pre- and post-match analysis and studio discussions. He also mentored upcoming commentators.

5. Ravi Shastri:

You can expect only fiery comments when Ravi Shastri is on air.

The former cricketer Ravishankar Jayadritha Shastri was famously known for his straightforward opinions. Be it the World Cup finals or the major Test series worldwide, Shastri never hesitates to speak his mind, and that resonates the fans across the globe.

His entertaining commentary and deep understanding of the game have made him a distinguishable commentator among many. He has been a prominent commentator for ICC Cricket World Cups, IPL, ICC Champions Trophy, BBL, and more, and presented various sports programs.

Not just that, he also performed commentary across several media such as television, radio, and online streaming services.

He has worked with renowned sports broadcasters such as Star Sports, Sony Sports Network, and Channel Nine Australia.

6. Pankaj Athawale:

His personality, voice, and analytical skills made him a prominent name in the sports industry. Pankaj Athawale started his career in sports broadcasting in 2004. Not only for cricket, Mr. Athawale also gave commentary for Hockey & Kabaddi matches. Along with working for All India Radio and BBC, he has covered more than 100 test matches, ODI, and T20 cricket matches since 2007.

Athawale also worked with Star Sports for Pro Kabaddi matches, Commonwealth Youth Games, CWG, National Games 2015, Asian Games, Olympics, Pickleball World Championship in India, and Hockey. Notably, he shared the microphone with acclaimed commentators like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Clive Lloyd, and Ranatunga. He also hosted many sports business podcasts on ‘Buzz Behind Sports’ on the IISM World YouTube podcast.

7. Jatin Sapru:

“Long-off… long off… Longg offf Suryakumar Yadav ne pakda hai apne career ka sabse important catch.”

Do you remember the famous commentary of Jatin Sapru on Surya Kumar Yadav’s iconic midair catch in the 2024 T20 World Cup? A history was made that day and Jatin Sapru’s comment went viral.

Jatin Sapru is one of India’s Leading sports broadcasters and cricket commentators mostly known for his work with Star Sports. His insightful commentary and engaging style made him a familiar face in sports broadcasting. He first gained recognition after winning the reality show for aspiring TV presenters “Dream Job” and he became a famous sports commentator of India. Sapru hosted many cricket matches and tournaments such as the ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC T20, Asia Cup, Indian Premier League, and many post-match shows.

8. Mohammad Kaif:

First and foremost, Mohammad Kaif is a renowned Indian cricketer who garnered praise as one of the greatest fielders in India. However, in 2018 after his retirement, he transitioned his career into sports broadcasting. His valuable perspective on the game and analytical insight enrich the audience’s match-hearing experiences.

Kaif is also well-known for Hindi commentary in cricket matches. Kaif has been a regular sports presenter on Star Sports for major tournaments like IPL, and ICC Cricket World Cup. Further, he’s also associated with Sony Sports Network and appeared on pre and post-match shows.

9. Sanjana Ganeshan:

Known for her remarkable achievements and dynamic presence, Sanjana Ganeshan has cemented her place in the sports media. Though she started her career with modeling, Ganeshan soon transitioned her role into sports journalism, hosting many Cricket and Badminton shows for star sports. In no time, she became a popular face, hosting the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and T20 World Cup.

Her great hold for detailed knowledge of sports led her to present many leagues including but not limited to Indian Premier League, Indian Super League, and Badminton Premier League.

Moreover, she worked as a digital insider for the International Cricket Council (ICC) while hosting the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup. She also graced the World Test Championship Final 2023 between India and Australia with her outstanding screen presence and engaging style. During IPL, she organized a talk series named Match Point.

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